Studio Schicketanz Designs Net Zero Residence In Big Sur

  • Studio Schicketanz Designs Net Zero Residence In Big Sur
  • Mal Paso Residence in Big Sur is a sustainable home with views of the Pacific Ocean, designed taking cues from the surrounding landscape.
The team took inspiration from the surrounding landscape, cutting a shelf into the gentle hillside to make the home feel one with nature | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The team took inspiration from the surrounding landscape, cutting a shelf into the gentle hillside to make the home feel one with nature | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
  • Project: Mal Paso Residence
  • Images: Joe Fletcher Photography, Tim Griffith Photography (via v2com)

Text description via v2com*

By taking cues and inspiration from the surrounding landscape, Studio Schicketanz, led by Mary Ann Schicketanz, designed a breathtaking, sustainable home that literally blends into the hillside for a Silicon Valley-based family, their two daughters, and live-in parent, looking for a new lease on life. What was initially planned as a weekend getaway has, given the pandemic, turned into the ultimate quarantine escape, where they can enjoy the ocean front pool and views, a game room, a den, a large kitchen, and everything else that the special property has to offer.

The Living Room furnishings were selected for their shape and comfort and the materials of the furnishings were kept neutral as a reflection of the architectural finishes. Cognac leather on the Moooi swivel chairs speaks to the warm oak boards on the floor and ceiling. These are also functional pieces allowing one to swivel towards the ocean, courtyard, and dining/kitchen | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The Living Room furnishings were selected for their shape and comfort and the materials of the furnishings were kept neutral as a reflection of the architectural finishes. Cognac leather on the Moooi swivel chairs speaks to the warm oak boards on the floor and ceiling. These are also functional pieces allowing one to swivel towards the ocean, courtyard, and dining/kitchen | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
Artwork by Eric Gushee hangs on the custom hued Venetian plaster accent wall. The ceiling and flooring were kept neutral allowing south and north walls to become an accent with pops of color. The exterior plaster wraps into the main living area around into the connector and onto the portion of the eastern wall opening to the entry | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
Artwork by Eric Gushee hangs on the custom hued Venetian plaster accent wall. The ceiling and flooring were kept neutral allowing south and north walls to become an accent with pops of color. The exterior plaster wraps into the main living area around into the connector and onto the portion of the eastern wall opening to the entry | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)

Schicketanz and her team appointed the home with the finest products and finishes, including, but not limited to, pieces from Coup D’etat, Holly Hunt, Larsen, Moooi, Piet Boon, Miele, Brizio, B&B Italia, Tai Ping, Phillip Jeffries, Giorgetti, Pindler, Restoration Hardware, and Concrete Works. The pool features petrified wood stumps by Leos Enderle and Rodney Hunter, while the sculptural artwork of Eric Gushee and Casey McCafferty, as well as pieces by Silvia Poloto, are found throughout the home. Each of the beds, ottomans, book cases, and media cabinets were custom designed.

The "Kauri" dining table by Rea 1920 and "Ginger" dining chairs by Poltrona Frau sit center stage within the dining room, flanked by ocean views to the west and the interior courtyard to the east | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The "Kauri" dining table by Rea 1920 and "Ginger" dining chairs by Poltrona Frau sit center stage within the dining room, flanked by ocean views to the west and the interior courtyard to the east | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The "Vegas" tub by Concreteworks is prominently featured below a circular skylight in the primary bathroom | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The "Vegas" tub by Concreteworks is prominently featured below a circular skylight in the primary bathroom | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)

Material selections include local granite from Hollister, CA for the rock walls, integral plaster for the “cubes” placed in front of the rock walls, and Savannah Brown Duras flagstone to complement the wall stone and entry way connectors. The “shell” was kept in all neutral and earth tone colors, while the interior showcases accents of color from the custom blend mosaic walls and Venetian plaster accent walls.

A glass wall offers stunning views into the central courtyard | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
A glass wall offers stunning views into the central courtyard | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The guest suite is located on the northeast side of the home, creating a separation from the main living areas. The east wall of the guest suite is a portion of the stone retaining wall that is carved into the hillside that spans the length of the home. Glazed sliders open to the courtyard and look out to the main living space and connector to the primary suite | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The guest suite is located on the northeast side of the home, creating a separation from the main living areas. The east wall of the guest suite is a portion of the stone retaining wall that is carved into the hillside that spans the length of the home. Glazed sliders open to the courtyard and look out to the main living space and connector to the primary suite | Image © Joe Fletcher Photography (via v2com)
The courtyard is both supported and framed by a 400 ft long rock wall, made from locally sourced Hollister Granite. It serves as a central place to gather and enjoy nature with direct views of the hills. The neutral material palette was chosen to blend with the surrounding meadow and hills | Image © Tim Griffith Photography (via v2com)
The courtyard is both supported and framed by a 400 ft long rock wall, made from locally sourced Hollister Granite. It serves as a central place to gather and enjoy nature with direct views of the hills. The neutral material palette was chosen to blend with the surrounding meadow and hills | Image © Tim Griffith Photography (via v2com)
The project’s largest design challenge provided the most innovative design solutions. In accordance with local planning laws, the new building had to remain invisible from Highway One. So the team created the building site by cutting a shelf into the gentle hill side. The resulting 15’ high retaining wall is curvilinearly shaped to better blend with the land | Image © Tim Griffith Photography (via v2com)
The project’s largest design challenge provided the most innovative design solutions. In accordance with local planning laws, the new building had to remain invisible from Highway One. So the team created the building site by cutting a shelf into the gentle hill side. The resulting 15’ high retaining wall is curvilinearly shaped to better blend with the land | Image © Tim Griffith Photography (via v2com)

In addition to the home’s luxe, high-end finishes and furnishings, and given its extreme location, the home is anticipated to achieve net zero due to power and hot water (for the pool) generation from solar panels and Tesla Power Walls, which will power the house when grid power is not available. The power produced onsite covers all of the power needs of the house, as well as charging for 2 EV vehicles.

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